| As German comedienne, Jana Marie Backhaus, a professional in her home country, Germany, but somewhat lost on the African continent, both geographically and spiritually, is a guest of tonight’s series. |
Windhoek
The ‘Headliner’ tonight in the Comedy in the House show at the Hilton Hotel is no other than Ndangi Iileka, an electrical engineer by profession, who studied at the University of Namibia (Unam) (but claims that he is okay now) and who offers intelligent and funny, social commentary.
Ndangi is is probably best known for his stint on O.K.I.C. (Okanona Kalikapo Insurance Cover), a relationship insurance policy that provides clients with peace of mind and as a result serves as an effective model to reduce, if not eliminate, passion killings in Namibia. The talk is that a local insurance giant and competitor, with offices in Robert Mugabe Avenue, is in secret negotiations with the comedian, who claims he has witnesses that he had the idea first. Iileka is highly creative in his comedy set-ups, artful in delivery and surgically precise (if not to say deadly!) with his punchlines.
Next on the programme is visiting German comedienne, Jana Marie Backhaus, a professional in her home country, Germany, but somewhat lost on the African continent, both geographically and spiritually. She writes scripts for television comedy shows and makes her money as a freelance actress at home in Germany. She admits that studying African Culture and History only provided her with part of a bigger puzzle – which she is currently busy realigning on the Namibian soil.
And then comes Mark Kariahuua, the Last Comic Standing 2012 and 2013 runner up. Mark’s comedy is social commentary, which he delivers through sketches depicting everyday scenes and situations. He has recently conceived and will share with us – amongst other things – a set of post-Independence survival tactics for the Herero in Namibia.
Comedy in the House at the Hilton’s Kalabar approaches its first anniversary soon – so watch this space. It takes place every last Friday of the month, starting 20h00. It might prove a good idea to come half an hour early for a good seat. Entrance is free!
CAPTIONS: Comedy…..Ndangi Iileka (left), best known for his stint on O.K.I.C. (Okanona Kalikapo Insurance Cover), who headlines the monthly comedy series at Hilton’s Hotel Kalaba tonight with German comedienne, Jana Marie Backhaus (centre) as guest and Mark Kariahuua (right).
Pictures: Iileka (2), Jana Maries Backhaus (2), and Mark Kariahuua.